Bromley Council to Discuss CPR Training for Residents

Bromley Council is intensifying its focus on improving the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and immediate response to acute trauma within the borough.

The Bromley Health and Wellbeing Board convened on 20 November 2025 to address these critical issues, spurred by concerns raised by Deputy Lieutenant Deirdre Barr and the London Ambulance Trust regarding the need for more defibrillators in areas of low coverage and the associated training costs. The London Ambulance Trust has even organised a charity walk to raise funds to address this need.

Councillor David Jefferys, Vice-Chairman of the Health & Wellbeing Board, spearheaded the discussion, outlining several key objectives:

• Promoting national apps: Increasing public awareness of the three national apps designed to locate the nearest defibrillator during a collapse.
• Encouraging CPR training: Providing support to local groups seeking CPR training.
• Engaging major employers: Initiating discussions with major employers in the borough to implement CPR training programmes.
• Addressing barriers to defibrillator use: Identifying and overcoming obstacles that prevent the public from confidently using defibrillators.
• Improving response to acute trauma: Evaluating the necessity of additional guidance for immediate response to incidents such as knife stabbings and potential bleed outs.

The meeting aims to identify and overcome concerns and barriers to the public using defibrillators.

According to the meeting agenda, two training sessions, jointly supported by DL Deirdre Barr and the current Mayor, have already been held this autumn. Furthermore, a comprehensive training programme was established for all Bromley staff over the past six months, serving as a model for future initiatives.

The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to continue this vital discussion at its February meeting. Members will reflect on the points raised in the discussion item on acute resuscitation (CPR) ahead of the meeting, with the aim of determining further actions to promote awareness, encourage community training, and ensure the public feels empowered to use life-saving equipment in emergency situations, according to the Matters Outstanding and Work Programme.